Request for Expression of Interest 

(EOI)

Date: 21 October, 2026

Subject: Request for Expressions of Interest for Supply, Installation and Commissioning of Direct Expansion Refrigeration System for the Community Cooling Hub (CCH) 

Date of this EOI: 21 October 2026

Closing Date for Receipt of EOI: 5 November 2026 at 11:00am Local time

EOI Number: RFP-036/MANT/G/2026

Beneficiary: Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain

Address EOI response by e-mail to: aces-procurement@cleancooling.org;

Background

ACES is equipping the Community Cooling Hub (CCH), a flexible food processing and cold chain facility comprising chilled and frozen storage, a pre-chill store, two chilled process lines and a new product development (NPD) kitchen. Refrigeration is operated only when rooms are in use, so each cooled room requires its own independently controlled system. The refrigeration design is direct expansion (DX) only. Eight independent split systems serve the eight cooled rooms, each with a factory-packaged outdoor condensing unit, an indoor evaporator proposed by the bidder, and its own control panel. Systems must use low-GWP, zero-ODP refrigerant and be supported in East Africa with short, demonstrable lead times for equipment, refrigerant and spares. 

Description of Requirements

ACES now invites qualified interest firms to submit expression of interest (EOI) to participate in the upcoming solicitation for the Supply, Installation and Commissioning of Direct Expansion Refrigeration System for the Community Cooling Hub. The scope of the coming solicitation encompasses the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of eight independent DX refrigeration systems serving 9. The complete details of the requirement will be provided in the request for proposals document that will be issued to bidders after this request for EOI is closed. 

Specific Requirements / Information.

Interested companies are requested to respond to the following questions by using one of the two formatted response options provided. 

1. Has your company installed, repaired or maintained cold rooms, freezers or commercial refrigeration equipment?

☐ Yes ☐ No

2. Can your company arrange the supply, delivery and installation of the eight separate refrigeration systems required for the project, with specialist support where needed?

☐ Yes ☐ No

3. Does your company have access to trained refrigeration technicians, either in your own team or through a qualified partner?

☐ Yes ☐ No

4. Can your company provide maintenance and repair support for the installed systems in Kigali?

☐ Yes ☐ No

5. Can your company source spare parts and suitable refrigerants locally or through regional suppliers?

☐ Yes ☐ No

6. Can your company with specialist support where needed, test the installed systems and show ACES staff how to operate and maintain them?

☐ Yes ☐ No

7. Can your company provide a one-year warranty on the installed equipment, supported by its suppliers or partners where needed?

☐ Yes ☐ No

8. Can your company with specialist support where needed, calculate refrigeration heat loads and use these calculations to design and size the eight refrigeration systems required for the project?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No

Vendors interested in participating in the planned solicitation process should submit the Vendor response form of this EOI electronically through aces-procurement@cleancooling.org; before the closing date set forth above.

Due to the high volume of communications, ACES is not in a position to issue confirmation of receipt of EOIs
 

EOI INSTRUCTIONS

1. Your company is not currently removed or suspended by RRPA, the United Nations or any other UN organization (including the World Bank);
2. Your company is not under formal investigation, nor have been sanctioned within the preceding three (3) years, for engaging or having engaged in proscribed practices, including but not limited to: corruption, fraud, coercion, collusion, obstruction, or any other unethical practice; 
3. Your company has not declared bankruptcy, are not involved in bankruptcy or receivership proceedings, and there is no judgment or pending legal action against your company that could impair your company's operations in the foreseeable future; 
4. Your company undertakes not to engage in prescribed practices (including but not limited to: corruption, fraud, coercion, collusion, obstruction, or any other unethical practice), with the Government of Rwanda, UN or any other party, and to conduct business in a manner that averts any financial, operational, reputational or other undue risk to the ACES Campus.